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Acts 26:14

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 26:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
Acts 26:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
12Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
13at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.
14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
17delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,
← Acts 26:13Acts 26:15 →
← Full Chapter 26 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when we were all fallen to the earth, etc.] Saul, and the men that were with him, for fear of the divine Majesty, who by this extraordinary light was thought to be present: the other narratives only relate Saul’s falling to the earth; how this is to be reconciled to their standing speechless, in (<440907>Acts 9:7), (see Gill on “<440907>Acts 9:7”). I heard a voice speaking unto me, etc. (see Gill on “<441004>Acts 10:4”). (see Gill on “<441005>Acts 10:5”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes on Acts 9:5, etc. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“In the Hebrew tongue - St. Paul was not now speaking in Hebrew: when he was, Act 23:7, he did not add, In the Hebrew tongue. Christ used this tongue both on earth and from heaven. Acts 26:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in: Act 21:40, Act 22:2 Saul: Act 9:4, Act 9:5, Act 22:7-9 hard: Pro 13:15; Zac 2:8, Zac 12:2; Co1 10:22 Acts 26:15”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 26 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification